Agriculture
We are proactively modeling the most pertinent climate phenomena to project future climate trends, and integrating these results together to assess possible effects on agricultural and economic systems.
Crop Suitability: Boro Rice
Below, we present projections for the viability of different boro rice varieties due to soil salinity in April every five years between 2025 and 2050. April salinity was selected for Boro rice as it coincides with the panicle initiation and flowering stages, which are the most sensitive growth stages for this Boro rice crop. Explore the map below to find out how variety selection may change in the future. Hover over an area to learn what variety is suitable for that area, and press play to view the projection over time. Values are shown in decisiemens per meter (dS/m).
Crop Suitability: Sunflower
Below, we show projections for the viability of different sunflower varieties due to soil salinity in February every five years between 2025 and 2050. February was selected because it corresponds to the flowering stage, the most sensitive stage for sunflower in terms of yield reduction and potential crop failure. Explore the map below to find out how soil salinity may change in the future. Hover over an area to see a reading, and press play to view the projection over time. Values are shown in decisiemens per meter (dS/m).
Climate Projection-enhanced Crop and Hazard Calendars
Our research and field teams are collaborating to understand needs on the ground and enhancing existing decision-support aids with our innovative climate projections. These enhanced tools will help agricultural scientists and decision-makers understand how critical climate hazards may change in the future, and how they could directly affect agriculture. We imagine these tools will help scientists make decisions about climate resilient seed development & distribution, as well as strategies to adapt to changes in seasonal cropping phases and patterns.
Sunflower Seed Coating
Innovations in seed coating developed at MIT could be the key to overcoming germination challenges in high-saline soils. We are working on a project to explore this technology in the field.
Watch a video introducing the sunflower seed coating initiative.
Adaptation & Intervention
The BRAC field team is hard at work developing relationships with the community and executing adaptation strategies. Watch the video to the left to learn more about the BRAC Adapation Clinics.
As our work progresses, we will lean on the important relationships and established communication networks to share our projection-enhanced tools, and then iterate with users and stakeholders to ensure their impact and usefulness.